The Travel Snob

Set Sail on the Sea of Cortez Aboard an 80 Foot Luxury Schooner Owned by Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa and Casitas Resort in Mexico. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

      

The new 80-foot Turkish schooner, Novia Mia ( My Girlfriend), recently debuted at the Marina of San Lucas, and can accommodate 35 passengers for day excursions or 8 overnight guests in six comfy cabins with bathroom; one kitchen; two dining rooms for indoor and outdoor dining; sun deck and TV with DVD player. Four exclusive packages are currently available (don't worry - you're not required to be guest at the resort):

• Snorkel Tour Three hours of snorkeling adventure from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels, refreshments including domestic open bar and gourmet snacks. Marquis butler and Michelin-star chef are included. A light lunch menu features Marquis appetizers such as Ceviche Yucatan Style, Shrimp Sushi, Oysters, Clams, Prosciutto & Provolone Sandwiches and Haagen Dazs ice cream for dessert. $120 USD per person (plus tax and service charge).

• Sunset Tour Three hours of spectacular sunset-viewing and evening snorkeling from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The tour includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels, refreshments including domestic open bar and gourmet snacks. The evening fare includes Marquis appetizers such as Salmon Sashimi, Fruit Brochette, Lobster Frittatas, Beef Turnovers with Fried Bananas and Chile Poblano and Mini French Cakes for dessert. (Marquis butler and Michelin-star chef are included.) $200 USD per person. 

• Private Tour Four hours of seclusion and water sport activities like snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. The tour includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels and refreshments including international open bar. The Michelin-star chef will customize an elaborate menu from signature restaurant selections at Vista Ballenas and Canto del Mar. $3,500 USD to rent the entire boat, plus tax and service charge.

• Wedding Package Cmbines 24 hours of wedded bliss on the high seas with water activities and brunch for guests. The bride and groom can host 8 overnight guests and 35 day guests on the schooner. The wedding ceremony can be performed in the afternoon aboard the Novia Mia, and afterward, the boat will travel through the Sea of Cortez overnight and arrive near the shoreline in the morning. After a Michelin star chef prepares brunch, arrival at the Marina of San Lucas is set for 2:00 PM - 3:00 P.M. Includes boat rental for 24 hours; fishing, snorkel and kayak equipment; international open bar; gourmet snacks; Maitre Cuisinier de France, Marquis butler, waiters and service employees to assist all wedding guests. $9,500 USD plus tax and service charge. (Wedding ceremony, reception dinner and décor are additional.)

For more info, visit MarquisLosCabos.com

- The Travel Snob

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Find the Best Hotels in Latin America - Mexico, Central America & South America - at Luxury Latin America. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

The recently launched Luxury Latin America provides upscale travelers with filtered, authoritative recommendations on the top hotels and best luxury travel opportunities in Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.

Travel articles are based on deluxe trips in the region - experienced first-hand - that are a clear cut above the standard tourist fare; candid and detailed hotel reviews are penned by seasoned travel writers & guidebook authors who have inspected them in person, and cover only the most luxurious hotels and resort. "Even in well-developed resort areas in Mexico and Costa Rica, "deluxe" and "5-star" designations are so widespread that they have become meaningless," explains Timothy Scott, Luxury Latin America's editor, who has plans afoot to add more destinations in the coming months. "Our aim is to filter out the also-rans and save wealthy travelers time by pointing them to only the best hotels and tours in the Americas."

Check it out at LuxuryLatinAmerica.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Culinary Travel is a Family Affair at Mexico's Esencia Resort in the Riviera Maya. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

If you can stand the heat...

Seasoned gourmet travelers and aspiring foodies of all ages can now unlock the secrets of traditional Mexican cuisine from a top chef at Esencia Resort. Esencia - a 29-room luxury boutique resort in Playa Xpu-Ha (50 miles south of Cancun) on a two-mile stretch of fine white sand beach - now offers one-day cooking classes with celebrated Chef Alejandro Rojas of Four Seasons and James Beard House fame.

Children between the ages of 4 and 8 can learn the  finer points of botanas, Yucatecan appetizers, and tasty salsas, or even sate their sweet tooth at the Mini Pastry Chef class. Those in the 8 to 12 range are welcome in the Junior Chef class, while adults can attend the Executive Chef class and learn how to turn out a six-course traditional Mexican meal, including botanas, soups, salsas & moles, and entrees like Chile Relleno, and Tikin Xic Fish. And most importantly, each chef is outfitted with the proper attire including apron and chef hat.

"We developed these classes because many guests wanted to learn how to make the destination's regional dishes," explains Chef Rojas. "Guests are becoming more sophisticated about foods and are no longer happy just to taste but also want to know how the food is prepared. For kids, this is a great opportunity to inspire a love for cooking."

For more information, visit HotelEsencia.com.

- The Travel Snob

Fly Fishing in Baja, Mexico? Si, Si, Si. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Fishing in the Sea of Cortez has been recognized as some of the best sport fishing in the world, and now that AmericanFlyFishingTravel.com has teamed up with Baja Fly Fishing Co., a premiere Baja guide service, finding the prime fishing spots just got easier. "I just love the action when I'm on the Sea of Cortez," says AmericanFlyFishing.com co-owner Gary Eblen, about the fishing at the East Cape region, where prize Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, Roosterfish and Wahoo move north in the spring and back south in the fall migration.

Only a short trip from nearby North America & featuring relatively inexpensive airline connections, Mike Riesser of Baja Fly Fishing Co. thinks the time market for sport fishing in Baja is on the up-swing. "Fly fishing in Baja has never been better and more accessible."

For more info, visit AmericanFlyFishingTravel.com.
 

- The Travel Snob

(photo: flyfishtravel.com)